Digital comics news, previews and reviews!
Some news from Paperless Comics – following on from the censorship issue from the other day
Jason Snell reviews the iPad as a comics reader at MacWorld; after covering all the bases, he concludes that it’s an excellent device for reading comics, but the publishers need to step up and do a better job of publishing for it.
…and some news on digital comic sales.
ICv2 reported last month that digital comics sales came to between $500,000 and $1 million last year.
Fully recovered and ready to go. Some notes on the London Expo May 2010.
Here are some photos – more to follow!
Ctrl+Alt+Del is a webcomic based around computer games. With some large story arcs based around a few main characters it throws in pop culture references to keep it fresh. interspersed are usual one-off gags (below) which act as a buffer between acts.
There are also occasional ‘sillies’ which are seperate to the main stories, but feature the same characters.
Slick art and colouring, with a strong sense of continuity.
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Just recovering my poor little legs from the MCM London Expo.
Photo’s news and reviews to come a bit later this week, but here is me and Warren Ellis after signing my copy of Ignition City!
From Bleeding Cool
Some people who’ve never looked the word up in the dictionary believe that “censorship†can only come from the government or a state body. Not from a business or an individual. They are wrong.
Of course some people believe that censorship must, by its very nature, be always bad. They are also wrong, but that’s more of a subjective viewpoint and not relevant today. Back to the government/non-government thing.
At the Prism website, which celebrates and supports lesbians gays and transgendered in comics, both characters and creators, Prism founding president, Charles “Zan†Christensen has decided to take on Apple and the future of digital comics.
Because while many in comics see the iPad as a new frontier to be conquered and claimed, there are signs that something about the Apple is rotten.
Read the rest here
I always wondered what happened to ‘Jesus hates Zombies’!
IDW Publishing has many digital comics available right now. With the iVerse app and their own standalone app IDW is one of the more accessable comic companies. IDW also have a lot of strong licences including Transofrmers, Star Trek & GI:Joe.
I was looking forward to finding out what IDW plans were moving forward – especially since they have just announce their addition to the Blackberry.
We have some announcements coming in the next month or two at Heroes Con and San Diego Comic Con. So I can give you more after that. But in a quick abbreviated version — Â we look to have IDW comics on about every handheld/mobile platform by end of summer, will continue to release most of our line about a month or less after print, and will be doing more original made-for-digital projects.
It looks to me that IDW are looking for the way forward and I hope to bring some more news after Heroes Con and San Diego Comic Con. The fact that they are looking at a quick release after publication is especially interesting and it would be interesting to see some numbers on those.
In Keenspot’s first made-for-mobile comic book series, the Commander-in-Chief isn’t the only one in the family with presidential powers. In this fantastic first issue, first daughter Tasha Tasker learns her position calls for more responsibility than she bargained for when she begins to display amazing abilities after discovering a secret room in the White House basement. His daughter’s unusual situation adds to the many worries of presidential dad Brad Tasker, who may know more about what’s happening to Tasha than he’s letting on.
This book is also available on the Comixology app on the iPhone.
I recently wrote to Avatar Comics to ask what their plans were for moving forward into the digital comics market:
We are looking at what our digital options are and can hopefully start moving into that arena later this year.
Hopefully soon we will be able to see the likes of Avatar on our mobiles and other devices.
Currently Avatar are producing Freakangels as a weekly digital comics with the trades available as paperbacks!
Box 13 the ground breaking graphic novel, first produced on the iPhone especially for Comixology by Red 5 has been listed on the Graphic Novel Reporters Website as one of the hottest graphic novels of the summer.
Pre order it now and enjoy it for the summer
Below are the new series available on the Comixology app on the iPhone/iPad:
Hulk #1
Superstars JEPH LOEB and ED MCGUINNESS will change the way you see THE HULK! In this startling origin epic, the breathtaking events that ended World War Hulk rocket into this brand-new Hulk title. When one of The Hulk’s oldest cast members is murdered, everyone turns to the team of IRON MAN, SHE-HULK and LEONARD SAMSON to solve the grizzly case. All the evidence points to the Hulk as the kille – but {CLASSIFIED}! Join us for a brand–new story and a brand-new team who loves the Hulk as much as you do!
Green Hornet: Year One #1-2
The Green Hornet expansion continues as Dynamite presents the original tales of comics most iconic hero! And Matt Wagner, one of the most creative creators in comics takes the reins, bringing the characters to their basic roots a la All-Star Superman, and Matt Wagner is the man to do it! Rooted in the pulp tradition, the original tales of Britt Reid, and Kato being here! Joining Wagner is artist Aaron ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Campbell, whose stunning recreation of the industrial world of 30s Chicago is sure to wow fans across the globe! Plus, covers by Wagner, Ross, Cassaday and Segovia!
Sonic Universe #1-4
This is the comic the fans have waited for – an ever-expanding, all-encompassing series revolving around Sonic’s many friends and foes whose continuity aligns with the regular monthly Sonic comic. Along the way, we’ll deliver some of the popular supporting cast from the many Sonic video games, including many who have never appeared in the comics before! The first issue of “Sonic Universe” debuts with a story that’s out of this world – literally – as Shadow and Metal Sonic continue their series-spanning fight and wind up in a whole new dimension! And things are bound to heat up when Blaze the Cat and a Chaos Emerald enter the mix! Don’t miss the explosive beginning of this universe-spanning series!
Pilot Season: Murderer #1
From the creative minds of Image partners Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri! This is the story of a murderer. But this killer only hunts and murders people who deserve it, before they can hurt others. The only question is how does he select his victims?
NothingFace #0-3
Novak takes on a seductive new client with a most unusual claim… her dreams have brought her information about murders that have not yet occurred. Including her own. Even as they discuss the case, the killer is setting up his next victim. This miniseries features art by YILDIRAY CINAR, artist on Teen Titans’ Ravager and Noble Causes.
Tales of Suspense #39-43
Watch his awesome approach! Listen to his ponderous footsteps as he lumbers closer… closer… for today you are destined to encounter – THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN! Written by the legendary Stan Lee!
Brat-halla is a mythology webcomic about the Norse gods during their elementary school days. All-Father Odin and his wife Frigg constantly have their hands full with youngsters Thor (the super strong runt of the litter), Loki (the god of mischief who likes to play with dolls), Balder (the invulnerable pretty boy), Hod (the blind god of darkness and winter), Hermod (the hyper super speedster) and the rest of the Norse pantheon.
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It always intregues me that there are so many different webcomics out there – this is one from left field. With some fun arcs with a Disneys Hercules feel, we get something that will make you smile. The art is a great mix, with the elders and the kids. The use of shadows also works well
Robot 13 continues it’s winding path through this mix of robots and mythology.
I enjoy the style of this comic and the similarities with the art and story with Mike Mignolas ‘Hellboy’ only add to my fandom of this series.
We continue on the road with Robot 13 we learn more about him and his connection with the mythical Talos.
I especially enjoy Robot 13′s interacting with the simple villagers and other characters – they only add to his humanity.
You are still at a point to jump onto this series the style of reading this comic makes the event more dynamic.
IDW have released the latest comics on the iPhone, iPod & ipad
Star Trek: New Frontier #1
Peter David (w), Stephen Thompson (a)
New York Times best-selling author and comics legend Peter David, the hand-picked creator of the first Star Trek crew designed exclusively for print, celebrates the 10th anniversary of the New Frontier’s first-ever comic book series, showcasing all-new stories and the official continuation of the hit books. In “Slingshot,” the most dangerous experimental vessel in the galaxy-a prototype time ship-has vanished, and it appears that the man who stole it is none other than Starfleet Admiral Edward Jellico. Only Mackenzie Calhoun and the crew of the Excalibur have a hope in finding him before the ship, intended purely for scientific exploration, is used to disrupt the space-time continuum. With art byStephen Thompson (Beneath the Valley of Rage), who delivers a painted cover.
Find it in the free Star Trek Comics app!
Star Trek: Spock Reflections #2
Scott and David Tipton (w), David Messina, Federica Manfredi (a)
Spock continues on his mysterious mission! What could have driven him to leave his new life on Romulus? The answers start here! And also, an untold tale from Spock’s life featuring Captain Christopher Pike!
Find it in the free Star Trek Comics app!
Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers #5
Nick Roche, James Roberts (w), Nick Roche, Trevor Hutchison (a)
The endgame begins. Their teammates are dead, their mission is in tatters, and all hope is lost. Time has run out for the last of the Wreckers, who confront the maniac responsible for the atrocities of the last 48 hours. Deaths, betrayals and long-promised revelations-truly, this one has it all!
Find it in the free TRANSFORMERS Comics app!
Transformers #6
Mike Costa (w), Don Figueroa (a)
It’s the AUTOBOTS versus the biggest foe they’ve faced since DEVASTATOR! But with Optimus Prime in captivity, do our heroes stand a chance? The action keeps coming courtesy of Mike Costa and Don Figueroa!
Find it in the free TRANSFORMERS Comics app!
Transformers: Best of UK – Prey #1 
Simon Furman (w), Will Simpson, Jeff Anderson (a)
The Best of the UK series returns with the five-part Prey! MEGATRON unleashes the feared PREDACONS to seek and destroy OPTIMUS PRIME. Could this be the end for the Autobot leader? Find out in this fan-favorite collection of classic tales from across the pond, written by TRANSFORMERS mainstay Simon Furman with an all-new cover byAndrew Griffith!
Find it in the free TRANSFORMERS Comics app!
G.I. Joe #18
Chuck Dixon (w), Alex Cal, Kelsey Shannon (a)
What starts as a desert survival exercise for the Joes turns into a fight for survival, with COBRA soldiers sent to find the Pit. Unarmed and out of communication, Covergirl, Downtown, and Tripwire must outwit, outlast, and outkill COBRA’s best if they want to stay alive and prevent the disclosure of the Pit’s secret location. The start of an all-new storyline, featuring art by Alex Cal (G.I. Joe Origins: Mainframe).
Find it in the free G.I. JOE Comics app!
Sheldon is a sarcastic, nerdy family strip filled with pop-culture references and fun, random storylines. At its center is this weird, wonderful little family: a boy, his duck, and the grandfather that raises them both. It’s a strip of geeks, for geeks, drawn by a geek. You’ll dig it: trust us.
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More in the style if Peanuts was for Geeks – as the strip above kinda shows. Some newspaper strip style art, designed to be easy on the eye and fun to read, this strip works in places where it shouldn’t. The relationships between the characters is excellents as they all bounce off each other in fun ways.
